This is despite Labour’s comfortable lead in the London Assembly elections, where they score 50 percent to the Tories’ 33 percent.

One reason for this is the way Johnson has distanced himself from the Tories. The mainstream media is only too happy to play up to his image as a harmless fool.

But the other reason lies within the Labour Party itself. The Blairite right wing has mounted a ill-concealed effort to sabotage Livingstone’s campaign after they failed to dislodge him as Labour’s candidate.

Much of their hatred for Livingstone stems from his opposition to the Iraq war and his stance defending Muslims against racism.

Last week the far right UK Independence Party called for a second preference vote for Johnson in nakedly racist terms. “Ayatollah Livingstone would be a disaster for London,” said its leader Nigel Farage.

Livingstone’s campaign needs to focus on issues that will mobilise the city’s working class population, such as youth unemployment, lower fares and affordable housing.

He also needs to go on the offensive against the racists—as he did at last week’s Stonewall hustings when he condemned attacks on Muslims and said, “Right wing politicians pander to bigotry. Don’t be divided.”

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